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Trip Planner :  Central America  /  Costa Rica  /  Province of San Jose  /  San Jose Metro  /  San Jose

San Jose

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Theaters · History Museums · Specialty Museums
A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country. At first glance, given its lack of colonial-era architecture, the city appears a gritty, bustling metropolis, but scratch the surface and you'll find plenty to do and see. Numerous museums and notable buildings, a bustling nightlife and dining scene, as well as a great central location make San Jose worth a visit when vacationing in Costa Rica. When using our Costa Rica road trip planning site, you're building your holiday based on your own interests, visitor reviews, and the informed opinions of our well-traveled writers.
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Top San Jose tours

FROM $38 BOOK WITH VIATOR San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture
5.0
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $38 »
FROM $75 BOOK WITH VIATOR San Jose Beer Tasting Tour
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $75 »
FROM $195 BOOK WITH VIATOR Full Day Jaco Jungle Adventure Pass
5.0
Duration: 1 day
Tours from $195 »

Popular things to do in San Jose

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Specialty Museum
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
4.4
Duration: 2h 30 min
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Photography Tour
Photography Tours
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min
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History Museum
Museo Nacional De Costa Rica
4.4
Duration: 2 hours
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History Museum
Jade Museum
4.4
Duration: 1h 30 min

Side trips from San Jose
Waterfall
Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz Vara Blanca
4.4
Duration: 4 hours
Volcano
Poas Volcano Poas Volcano National Park
4.1
Duration: 2h 30 min
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Canyoning / Rapelling Tour
Canyoning & Rappelling Tours Jaco
4.9
Duration: 4 hours
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Zipline
Zipline Jaco
4.7
Duration: 3 hours

Hidden gems in San Jose

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Beer Tasting / Tour
Carpe Chepe
4.8
Duration: 4 hours
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Scenic Drive
Top Travel Costa Rica
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min
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Art Museum
Museo de Arte Costarricense
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
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Art Gallery
Galeria Namu
4.9
Duration: 1 hour

Parks in San Jose

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Park
Parque La Sabana
4.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
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Park
Parque Nacional Park
4.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
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Nature / Park
Spirogyra Butterfly Garden
4.1
Duration: 2h 30 min
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Park
Plaza de la Democracia y de la Abolición del Ejército
4.3
Duration: 2h 30 min

Shopping in San Jose

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Shopping Mall
Lincoln Plaza
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
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Civic Center
El Sotano
4.8
Duration: 4 hours
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Flea Market
Central Market (Mercado Central)
3.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Gift & Specialty Shop
Va de nuevo
5.0
Duration: 30 minutes

Kid-friendly things to do in San Jose

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Children’s Museum
Museo de los Ninos
4.4
Duration: 3 hours
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Theme Park
Parque Diversiones
4.4
Duration: 2h 30 min
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Science Museum
Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle
4.4
Duration: 1h 30 min
Theme Park
Pueblo Antiguo
3.7
Duration: 2h 30 min

Featured attractions

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Sightseeing Tour
Syltravel Day Tours
5.0
Duration: 6 hours
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Science Museum
Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle
4.4
Duration: 1h 30 min
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Volcano
Irazu Volcano National Park Province of Cartago
4.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
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Adrenaline / Extreme Tour
Adrenaline & Extreme Tours Jaco
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min

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Places to visit with San Jose

Carara Trip planner BEST FOR: National Park, River Rafting / Tubing Perez Zeledon Trip planner BEST FOR: Nature / Park, Waterfall, Garden San Gerardo de Dota Trip planner BEST FOR: Waterfall, National Park, Garden San Carlos Trip planner BEST FOR: Nature / Park, Spa, Thermal Spa Santa Ana Trip planner BEST FOR: Zoo, Specialty Museum, Gift & Specialty Shop

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Recently planned trips to San Jose

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